Abstract: An automatic video cassette recorder cleaning cartridge includes an enclosed cleaning fluid aerosol cannister actuated via a solenoid and lever in order to release cleaning fluid onto a cleaning tape. Actuation of the solenoid follows from detection of the rotation of the pay-out spool, which includes a camming surface operative upon a momentary switch. A shift register is included to count the revolutions of the pay-out spool and to sound an alarm when a predetermined number of rotations are sensed, whereby the cleaning of the various heads and components of a VCR is accomplished by inserting the cleaner into the VCR and operating in play mode.